The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-09-28

THIRD CONTEST FOR THE INTERIM
NATIONAL err.

The Contest Between the Volunteer and
Thistle POLITICALLY Portrayed Graphic
Description of the Great Race The
Poetry of Motion. SC.
NEW YORK, September 25.-In her
own weather and in the presence Of the
largest number Of spectators ever assem-
bled TO witness a yachting contest the
Scotch sloop Thistle, the last challenger
for the Americas cup, was beaten over
fifteen minutes to-day on the inside
course by the American sloop Volunteer.
"Our great hold is big breeze had
said the Volunteers friends, but she won
in a zephyr.
The day dawned calm and hot-Indian
summer in the air and sky. The whole
city by sclock seemed to be pouring
down to the wharves; by 300. the ad-
vance guard of the great fleet Of eNcur-
sion boats steamed down the bay, and by
10
THE NARRoWs MtRE fMrN>,iBtt.
Two hundred steam and twice as many
sailing vessels of an sizes and description
lay still, their crews and passengers wait
| ing anXiously for wind \ thick haze
oyerspread land and sea me two rival
sloops, each with man-sail. top.sail, and
three jihs set. lay equally motionless near
the starting line Tho silence was I'M
broken save now and then by sharp
whist and a band playing either "Auld
Lang Syne' or Red White and Blue
while the music of bagpipe- came also oc-
casionally over The water
The new Cuban mail Steamer Oliyetle,
a large yacht, steamed slowly by the Old
Dominion Steamer Guyandoitee. Jay
Gould stood on the bridge of the Atalan,a.
and Mrs George Gould sat ON the bow.
All the iron steamboat leet sas out, and
PerreshOifs latest wonder the Now
Then" skinned in and ont among the
fleet like water beetle.
IT WAS A SIGHT OF A CENTURY.
Noon came and passed, but the calm
still prevailed. Suddenly the breeze lift
ed, small sloOp outside the NarroNs
was seen 10 keel over, and a thousand
voices shouted Here comes a southerly
wind w 1t came and stirred the fleet to
life The bands played, and As the This.
tie first caught the breeze and DARED
ahead mighty cheer arose Then the
snow-white Volunteer caught also the
light air and she too seemed TO bound.
Both boats stood for the starting line,
and what il this the Thistle seemed to
leave her rival One whistle from the
Judges boat meant time is up
THE START.
Ten minutes later and lhe Thistle at
1885 dashed across the line. Two min
utes later came the Volunteer. and at
237 the long expected race had begun.
Both boats stood Oyerto the Long Island
shore. the Thistle i'm the lead To wind
ward. Suddenly the Volunteer came
about and stood towards Staten Island,
and in a minute more had caught a pun
from the westward over the bluffs that
enabled her to lay her course down the
bay Her shippers practized eye had
seen the wind shift first, and took adyan-
tage of il. The Thistle hesitaled and
lost. When she came about il was too
late. She ran into a calm streak, and
worse still, the immense fleet in hot chase
OF the Volunteer were massed 10 wind
ward. and blanketed her This was seen
by thousands with regret, but IL was un-
ayoidabe Meanwhile on flew
THE PEERLESS VOLUNTEER
down the bay, where the breeze was
freshening from the south and enabled
her to lay her course for the southwest
spit.
Away astern the Thistle now caught
the breeze, and b0wled merrily along,
but il was a hopeless stern chase Now
the fleet massed itself at buoy No. 81,
and deafenng chorus Of whistles arose
as she turned il AT 230 and stood for the
point of the Hook Here the big
steamer Alaska outward bound steamed
through the fleet, her passengers waving
and shouting. The Thistle was three
miles astern and had fallen 80 far 10 lee.
ward that tack was necessary for her
10 reach the spit which the Volume ;
superior pointing had not made neces-
sary.
CARRIER PIGEONS
now crcled aloft before heading for
the city with their messages from the
press boats Onward over the bar dashed
The Volunteer She rose on the first long
ocean swell dipped gracefully and sped
ahead. The breeze freshened; white caps
were seen here and there the sea-gulls
screamed welcome and a perfect day
came at last 10 add is benson TO the cup
defender Nteaulll she mOfcu loNdIh ili'
light ship keeping her lead. The seven
miles from the front OF the hook were
quickly passed. and al 344 the Volunteer
rounded the light ship, eased of her
sheets, and amid the roar OF steam whistles
AND FTFrY THOUSAND HUMAN VOICES
started like a scared dog for home. Sew
enteen minutes later came the Thistle,
and the TWO were saluted boisterously by
the feet which gallan ly waited for her.
Once around, and with sheets started,
the yachts flew for home aud II was a
hard task for the steamers, even al full
speed, to catch the Volunteer, many hay-
ing TO 20 through the swash channel 10
intercept her. The Thistle, too, sailed
nobly now, and was watched with admir-
alton. She tore through the water but
il WAS noticed that she made more dis
turbance than her rival, and old salts
shook their heads as they watched her,
and said
BRIToNs, TRY AGAIN ~
The Scotch boat gained a minute aud a
half on the run into the spit, As the Vol
4 H..